3 Things That Affect Blue Book Value of a Motorcycle

The blue book value of a motorcycle can be a very important tool in determining how much you should pay for a particular make and model. It can also be an important tool in determining how much you can get as a trade in or how much you can sell it for. So what things make the blue book value of a motorcycle more valuable?

1. Condition of the Motorcycle.

The condition of the motorcycle is very important. Mileage on a motorcycle is not a factor when determining the blue book value of a motorcycle. What is important is that the motorcycle was taken care of and that it is clean. The better care it was given, the more it will be worth. Consider this, two motorcycles have the same mileage. One motorcycle was ridden hard with only the bare minimum maintenance. The other motorcycle was ridden on highways and paved roads and was washed after every ride, maintenance was done regularly whether it appeared to need it or not, and parts designed to wear out were replaced regularly. Though they have the same mileage, the second motorcycle is clearly in better condition, therefore the blue book value of that motorcycle will be more then the first motorcycle. This is why condition is so important in the blue book value of a motorcycle.

2. Year, Make and Model of the Motorcycle.

While these are things that you cannot change, they do affect the blue book value of the motorcycle. The blue book value of a motorcycle can fluctuate. This has to do with the market. If a motorcycle is in high demand, it can have a higher blue book value. Also, if the year, make, and model becomes a collectors item, that will also increase the blue book value of the motorcycle. A motorcycle that has a limited number manufactured can have a high blue book value. It is often difficult to determine if the blue book value of a motorcycle will increase based on this in future years, or if your make and model will become a collectors item. Holding out another year may allow the blue book value of the motorcycle to rise, but it also may cause it to drop too.

3. Accessories and Customizations.

As far as blue book value goes, this is one of the things you do have control over. The blue book value of a motorcycle can be considerably increased with accessories and customizations of your motorcycle. The more customized your motorcycle is, the higher the blue book value can be. While the blue book value of the motorcycle doesn't take into account the accessories you have added to your motorcycle, a dealer may be able to give you a more accurate blue book value. Padded seats, added heating elements, customized paint jobs, fairings, handlebars and grips; all these can add to the blue book value of the motorcycle. If you are buying a used motorcycle with the intent of fixing it up to sell it later, keep in mind that the better the accessories and the more customized it is, the higher the blue book value for that motorcycle may be.